Prompts: "Give me a chance" "We can't keep this up forever"

I carefully sneak out of my room, not wanting to bring attention to myself and I head out to the gardens of the Wakandan secret compound. The place King T'Challa was kind enough to allow me to stay after what went down between the Avengers. While Steve might have left and only returns to check on Bucky, I had nowhere else to go; no family, no home. And with the accords in place, I'm safer here in Wakanda, in hiding as an enhanced human.

I am extremely grateful to the King and his people for allowing me to reside here, making me feel welcomed and even allowing me to train with them and hone my skills. They have made me feel at home. But despite all of that, if they knew who I was sneaking out to meet, I have no doubt they would not be all too happy. And I know that the warriors of Wakanda could kick my ass any day of the week. A shudder runs through my body just at the thought.

Okay, time to clear those thoughts from my mind for right now.

A small smile plays on my lips finally getting to the gardens undetected.

"Honey? Are you here?" I whisper into the dark of the night.

I look around, hoping for a sign from my lover. I give a small sigh, moving to sit on one of the benches. He will be here, he always shows up. Eventually.

I wish we didn't have to sneak around like this. I wish we could just be open about our relationship, but he says that now is not a good time. Too many things are changing, he is still getting used to his position, and so on. Sometimes I have to wonder if we will ever come clean about our relationship or if it is to always to remain a secret. I would like to think that something might change, but that little voice in the back of my head keeps telling me to be prepared for anything.

A gust of wind blows past me catching my attention. I smile knowing exactly who it is.

"I wondered when you would show." I stand to face my lover.

He stand to his full height, reaching to remove the mask that he is wearing.

"Sweetheart." His gentle voice instantly puts me at ease.

"T'Challa."

I quickly move to him, placing my hands on his chest and reaching to give him a peak on the lips. Only T'Challa turns his head quickly and I end up kissing his cheek. I pull back shocked, he hasn't done that before. Something must be wrong.

"T'Challa? What's wrong?" I ask worried about him.

He takes my hands in his, bringing them up to his mouth to place light kisses on each of my palms. His eyes meet mine and the emotion I read there, it breaks my heart. Something is really wrong.

I take a step back, "What's wrong?"

He sighs, squeezing my hand, "Sweetheart. We need to talk."

Uh oh, those are four words you never want to hear. Especially if the one saying them has a remorseful look in his eyes.

I jerk my hands away, backing away slowly. I know exactly what he is going to say.

"No. T'Challa don't do this. Please. I- I thought we had gotten past this. I told you, you just have to give me a chance. Let us tell of our relationship ourselves. It will be better if we tell people and not just let rumors get out on their own. People will be more receptive to the idea of us if they learn from the source and not from rumors. Because who knows what the rumors would say."

T'Challa shakes his head, looking down to the ground. It is as if he is unable to meet my gaze any longer.

Tears well up in my eyes from his silence and I know that this night has just taken a major turn for the worse.

"T'Challa, say something. Please..."

He releases a shaky breath, "Sweetheart, I'm afraid things are not that easy."

"But they can be! T'Challa, this is the 21st century for heaven's sake! Not medieval times. Things have changed, they continue to change, and we can be proof of that! If only you will give us a chance to make that change."

He shakes his head, not listening to what I have to say.

"You don't understand. There are just some things that will always stand in our way, we would never be truly happy. You would never really be accepted as Queen."

I collapse down on to the bench, choking back a sob. Even though his words are gentle, they still cut deep. He carefully sits next to me, making sure to keep a little space between us.

"We can't keep this up forever, the secret of us. And though you say things have changed, not enough for our relationship to be accepted. Not completely anyway. I'm sorry sweetheart but…"

"No, don't say it. What brought this on? I thought we had moved past this. We have discussed this multiple times already, I thought you had finally come around but I guess not. This is always going to be a problem and if that is right then, you are right. We can't keep this up forever."

He reaches out a take my hand and I'm tempted to pull away again, but if this was our last night together, I might as well enjoy it while I can.

"I am the protector and the king here. Sometimes, I can't do things or be with someone that I want. But I have to do things that are best for Wakanda." He concedes reluctantly to say the words.

I stare at him in disbelief, "So what? Because I'm not a princess or of some kind of nobility I'm not good enough? Is that what you're saying?"

His silence speaks volumes.

"Wow that is exactly the reason isn't it? I'm not good enough for you." I nod my head, trying to digest this whole situation. "Okay then. I guess this is good-bye."

My lower lip wobbles and tears are ready to spill from my eyes, but I try my hardest to keep it together. I stand and try to keep my head held high,

"I will be gone by morning."

His eyes go wide and he is quickly up, grabbing my hand. This time I do pull away from him as his touch now burns, and in the loving way it once did.

"You do not have to leave. You are still more than welcome here Sweetheart." He speaks in a manner that is meant to consol me.

I know he means his words, there is nothing but honesty in his voice. That is what makes this even harder. Why couldn't he be mean just this once and maybe it would be easier to walk away from him. But no, always the gentleman.

I shake my head, "No, I cannot stay here and watch you parade around with some princess, looking so happy and in love when all I would want would be to be in her place; to be able to love you in public instead of being a dirty secret. And have to deal with the fact that I will never be good enough to love a man like you. I would just hurt too much. So this is good-bye T'Challa… My king. Have a wonderful and happy life, full of love."

"Good-bye sweetheart. I hope you find someone who loves you better than I ever could." T'Challa's voice is thick with emotion, letting me know that this hurts him just as much as it hurts me.

With a nod of my head, I turn and walk away from my love forever.